My New Year's resolutions

While asking (and patiently waiting) for readers' New Year's resolutions for their home (share yours below, on the story, or by email), I've had time to think up some of my own. They're not all that different from goals I started working on earlier in the year with my newlywed nesting project, but, in order to actually see completion in 2009, I've realized I'm also going to need to set some deadlines. (After all, don't we media-types thrive on that kind of pressure?)

To recap on my progress so far, I've rearranged my living room into a more habitable space, adopted green cleaners to improve my indoor air quality (and save those brain cells) and bought a new sofa.

So, to move forward in 2009, I hope to complete the following three tasks:

1. Unpack the remaining boxes from my move last summer. I know it's shameful that I have yet to do so, but the longer I wait, the more daunting it becomes. Plus, I can shut the door when entertaining to hide the mess. My goal? To have the boxes unpacked, the clutter chucked and the space re-organized by the end of the month.

It will be very nice to have a functional second bedroom when friends and family come to visit (apologies to those who already spent their visits on a futon in the living room) and office space the rest of the time.

2. Make a few key purchases to make my life easier. You know how when you move into a new home you always discover a few items that you didn't realize you'd need? Well, those realizations started coming in August, yet I still am struggling to work around them.

For example, in the living room, I could really use a small side table for resting mugs, wine glasses and books while reading and hanging out. Without it, these things end up on the floor, where they are just out of reach from my cozy perch on the chair, and where, left forgotten, they tend to get stepped on. Other such items include a knife block (my new knives don't fit into my existing one, so instead they lie in a sharp, menacing heap) and another dresser to store linens and hold the bedroom television.

It's harder to set a deadline for this one, because it contains multiple and varied items, all of which will require research and multiple scouting trips. However, I should really have started the purchases by February and have them done sometime this summer.

3. And finally, I need to have more fun with my home. Renting often comes with a sense of impermanence, but that's no reason not to slap some paint on the walls (with the landlord's OK), hang some more photos and art and really embrace this space as my current home - even if it is only temporary. This will be an ongoing project, but could very well have the biggest impact in making my rental feel like a home.

Wish me luck!

(Image from Shutterstock)